📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Brand Manager
🔹 Company: Suntory
🔹 Location: Uxbridge / London, GB, UB8 1DH
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Brand Management
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-06-18
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading key elements of the brand-building agenda for Ribena, a cultural icon and vital source of Vitamin C during WWII.
- Working on high-profile Core Brand Innovation strategy, long-term innovation roadmap, brand stewardship, and performance tracking.
- Managing day-to-day brand activities, engaging with internal stakeholders, and contributing to broader brand projects.
- Joining a high-performing marketing team with autonomy to drive strategic direction and in-year execution.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic thinker and creative problem-solver with a passion for consumer brands and a growth mindset.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead core brand innovation strategy, blending deep consumer insight with commercial strategy and operational feasibility.
✅ Build and lead long-term innovation roadmap, turning trends and insights into tangible NPD opportunities.
✅ Own the packaging visual identity for new launches/NPDs, ensuring every pack reflects brand guidelines.
✅ Own the performance deep dive for one of the key segments (Squash, RTD, or Lunchbox), spotting risks, unlocking opportunities, and steering strategy.
✅ Project manage brand activities, deliver rigour of gatekeeping documents, lead project team meetings, connect dots on the P&L, and align stakeholders.
✅ Be Ribena's champion across the business, building belief, inspiring passion, and driving alignment behind brand ambitions.
✅ Collaborate closely with the broader Ribena brand team, contributing to broader projects and playing a part in a strong, supportive team unit.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong project management skills, excellent communication, and the ability to influence at every level.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field.
Experience: 2-5 years of experience in brand management, with a focus on delivering complex cross-functional projects.
Required Skills:
- Strong brand management fundamentals and excellent project management skills.
- Ability to transform data into insights, connect the dots, challenge assumptions, and simplify complexity.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence at every level and build strong teams with trusted relationships.
- Marketing comms experience, including crafting briefs, inspiring and managing agencies, and bringing integrated campaigns to life.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with Ribena or similar iconic brands.
- Fluency in Japanese.
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, a strong understanding of the beverage industry and familiarity with Ribena's history would be beneficial.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £35,000 - £45,000 per annum (based on industry standards for a Brand Manager role with 2-5 years of experience in the UK)
Benefits:
- Competitive pension scheme.
- Private medical insurance.
- Life assurance.
- 25 days' holiday (plus bank holidays).
- Subsidized gym membership.
- Employee discount on Suntory products.
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM, with flexibility for project demands.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Brand Manager role with 2-5 years of experience in the UK. Actual salary may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Suntory is a global leader in the beverage industry, with a diverse portfolio of products enjoyed by millions worldwide.
Company Size: Suntory has over 41,000 employees globally, offering a large and diverse work environment.
Founded: 1899, in Osaka, Japan
Company Description:
- Suntory aims to inspire the brilliance of life by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature.
- The company offers a uniquely diverse portfolio of products, including beverages, spirits, and health and wellness products.
- Suntory is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals can bring their whole selves to work every day.
Company Specialties:
- Beverage & Food
- Spirits Beer
- Wine
- Health Food
- Restaurants
- and Flowers
Company Website: http://www.suntory.com
ASSUMPTION: Suntory's global presence and diverse product portfolio offer unique opportunities for career growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level, with potential for growth and progression within the brand management team or across Suntory's diverse portfolio of products.
Reporting Structure: This role reports to the Senior Brand Manager (SBM) and is part of a team of 5 passionate marketers.
Work Arrangement: On-site, with flexibility for project demands and potential hybrid working arrangements in the future.
Growth Opportunities:
- Contributing to high-profile projects and driving brand strategy.
- Gaining experience in a fast-moving, agile, and entrepreneurial business environment.
- Building a strong track record and expanding responsibilities within the brand management team or across Suntory's diverse portfolio of products.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work on an iconic brand and gain valuable experience in a global, fast-moving company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space in Uxbridge, with easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities.
Office Location(s): Uxbridge / London, GB, UB8 1DH
Geographic Context:
- Uxbridge is a town in west London, with a mix of urban and suburban areas.
- The office is located near the Uxbridge Underground Station, with easy access to central London and other nearby towns.
- The area offers a range of housing options, from apartments to family homes, with varying prices to suit different budgets.
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM, with flexibility for project demands.
ASSUMPTION: The Uxbridge office offers a convenient location for commuters, with easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and CV screening.
- Phone or video screening with the HR team.
- Face-to-face or video interview with the hiring manager and/or other team members.
- Final interview with the Senior Brand Manager or another senior leader.
- Background check and offer.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Brand management skills and experience.
- Project management skills and experience.
- Communication and interpersonal skills.
- Alignment with Suntory's values and company culture.
- Problem-solving skills and ability to think strategically.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant brand management experience and skills.
- Prepare examples of your past brand management projects and their outcomes.
- Research Suntory's brand portfolio and be ready to discuss your favorite Suntory product and why.
- Prepare questions to ask the interview panel about the role, team, and company culture.
ATS Keywords: Brand Management, Project Management, Consumer Brands, Strategic Thinking, Marketing Comms, Growth Mindset
ASSUMPTION: Suntory's interview process is designed to be inclusive and allow candidates to share their unique skills and experiences.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
- Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the projects and tasks assigned.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity: We act with honesty and transparency in all our actions.
- Quality: We strive for excellence in everything we do.
- Harmony: We work together, respecting each other's differences and combining our strengths to achieve our goals.
- Creativity: We foster an environment where new ideas and innovative thinking are encouraged and valued.
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with a focus on cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
- Agile and adaptable, with a willingness to take on new challenges and learn from failures.
- Data-driven and analytical, with a focus on turning data into insights and driving strategic decision-making.
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a passion for consumer brands and a growth mindset?
- Are you a strong communicator and influencer, able to build relationships and drive alignment across teams?
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and enjoy working on high-profile projects?
ASSUMPTION: Suntory values diversity, inclusion, and collaboration, and seeks candidates who align with these principles.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role may require working on multiple projects simultaneously, with tight deadlines and competing priorities.
- Suntory's global presence and diverse product portfolio may present unique challenges in terms of brand consistency and global strategy.
- The role may require occasional travel to other Suntory offices or client meetings.
- The Uxbridge office may have limited social and cultural amenities compared to central London locations.
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong project management skills, excellent communication, and a willingness to adapt and learn.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other brand management roles, this position offers a unique opportunity to work on an iconic brand with a rich history and a bold new chapter ahead.
- Suntory's global presence and diverse product portfolio provide opportunities for career growth and development not typically available in smaller or more specialized companies.
- This role requires a strong focus on project management and cross-functional collaboration, with less emphasis on day-to-day operational tasks compared to more junior brand management roles.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic and operational responsibilities, with a focus on driving brand strategy and delivering high-profile projects.
📝 Sample Projects
- Leading the Core Brand Innovation strategy for Ribena, blending deep consumer insight with commercial strategy and operational feasibility.
- Building and leading the long-term innovation roadmap for Ribena, turning trends and insights into tangible NPD opportunities that delight consumers and deliver incremental value.
- Managing the packaging visual identity for a new Ribena product launch, ensuring every pack proudly reflects the brand guidelines and stands out on the shelf.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects highlight the strategic and creative nature of the Brand Manager role at Suntory.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for the first 30, 60, and 90 days in this role?
- How does this role fit into the broader brand management team and Suntory's long-term brand strategy for Ribena?
- What opportunities are there for growth and development within the brand management team or across Suntory's diverse portfolio of products?
- How does Suntory support work-life balance, and what flexibility is available for hybrid working arrangements?
- What are the biggest challenges facing the Ribena brand, and how can this role help address them?
ASSUMPTION: These questions will help you better understand the role, team, and company culture, and demonstrate your interest in the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Suntory Careers website.
- Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant brand management experience and skills.
- Prepare examples of your past brand management projects and their outcomes.
- Research Suntory's brand portfolio and be ready to discuss your favorite Suntory product and why.
- Prepare questions to ask the interview panel about the role, team, and company culture.
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR team one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
